A recent wide body of research is showing that some pathways may link the Paleo Diet to mood improvement. Recent research has demonstrated that the mechanisms underlying depression and anxiety are:
a) Disrupted neurotransmitters metabolism
b) Disrupted neuroendocrine function
b) Disrupted neural plasticity
Chronic low-grade inflammation is at the root of all of these pathophysiologic pathways. The Paleo Diet fights against inflammation because emphasizes a proper omega6/omega3 fatty acid ratio, and it avoids immunostimulant substances such as wheat germ agglutinin, and other lectins.
Hyperinsulinemia is also related to disrupted brain glucose metabolism. People who eat the Paleo Diet tend to have very low insulin levels.
One of the primary causes of low-grade inflammation is leaky gut syndrome or increased intestinal permeability. Increased gut permeability may allow increased passage of bacterial and/or dietary antigens into circulation, inducing immune activation and inflammation. The Paleo Diet is low in foods that are known to promote gut permeability, thus further reducing low-grade inflammation.
“I am a life long sufferer of depression and I exercise 5-6 days per week. When I stumbled upon your website I decided to start eating the Paleo way and have found that I have had no depressive episodes since. Even the mood swings are not evident. It feels great not to be battling depression every day. Thank you so much for the Paleo Diet.”
God Bless you and yours,
Larry
